GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Lighten , v. i. [See Light to alight.] To descend; to light.
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   O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
   Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.].
   
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2.       
   Lighten , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lightened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Lightening.] [OE. lightenen. See Light to kindle, illuminate.]
   To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash.
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   This dreadful night,
   That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
   As doth the lion.
   Shak.
   
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   To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
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3.       
   Lighten, v. t. [See Light to illuminate.]
   To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. [In this sense less common than light.]
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   A key of fire ran all along the shore,
   And lightened all the river with a blaze.
   Dryden.
   
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   To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.]
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   Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray.
   Sir J. Davies.
   
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   To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
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   His eye . . . lightens forth
   Controlling majesty.
   Shak.
   
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   To free from trouble and fill with joy.
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   They looked unto him, and were lightened.
   Ps. xxxiv. 5.
   
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4.       
   Lighten, v. t. [See Light not heavy.]
   To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
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   To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
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   To cheer; to exhilarate.
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   Lightens my humor with his merry jests.
   Shak.
   
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